Samsung SGH-Z400

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Features
The Samsung SGH-Z400 is a 3G phone that lets you make video calls and access data over the air at near-broadband speeds. If you're in an area that only has 2G networks, it supports both GPRS and EDGE. Video calling and Web browsing worked well on the phone and the video call interface is straightforward to use. Simply dial a number, go to Options and select Video call.

There is a 2-megapixel camera on the back for taking pictures or video of something other than your face. You can access the camera interface using the dedicated camera button on the top right-hand side. This button won't let you shoot pictures, though. If you want to take a picture you have to use the OK button in the middle of the navigation key.

The camera interface gives you the option to shoot several photos in quick succession or shoot in a mosaic style. You can also select from several effects, including turning the image black and white or inverting the colours.

You can store large amounts of photos, as well as MP3s, on the microSD slot. MP3s can be played on the built-in MP3 player. You can adjust the play mode and volume on this, but it is basic compared to those found on the Sony Ericsson Walkman range of music phones.

A small but interesting feature is the Connection Vibration mode, which vibrates the phone when you connect or disconnect from a call. This comes in handy when you're waiting for a call to connect but don't want to hold the handset to your ear, or when you're in a noisy environment and can't hear whether you've connected.

As with the D600 you can connect the Z400 to a TV and view your photos on the big screen. You can also put the phone in offline mode so that you can use it without connecting to a network. This is useful if you want to listen to the MP3 player without wasting battery or use the phone in an area that doesn't allow mobile phones.

Other features include MMS and SMS messaging, a document viewer, an email client, a Web browser, Bluetooth, a voice recorder, Java games, a calendar, an alarm, a task list, memo, a world clock, a calculator and a converter.

Performance
Audio on calls was clear and we could hear people without needing to raise our voice or press the ear speaker hard against our ear. Video calls were as clear as can be expected over a 3G connection and the images were recognizable. Video calling in general still doesn't give crystal-clear images, though.

The 2.0-megapixel camera took clear photos when we held it very still but images were blurred if we weren't holding it steady. There's no flash, so taking photos at night was impossible without an external light source.

Battery life is quoted at around 3 hours 40 minutes talk time and up to 320 hours standby time.